Kate Middleton and Liz Truss: A Tale of Fashion Faux Pas
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LONDON — Sartorially speaking, it’s not a good week for Catherine, Princess of Wales.
She stepped out on Wednesday to visit the maternity unit at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guilford in southern England wearing a pleated mustard yellow dress from high street brand Karen Millen, which is part of the fast-fashion chain group Boohoo.
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That same day, British Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Liz Truss delivered a speech in Birmingham, England, in a red bodycon dress from the same designer.
Truss’ dress made social media headlines after being compared to one that Emma Thompson’s character Vivienne Rook wears in the dystopian sci-fi drama “Years and Years” written by Russell T Davies. Rook is the leader of a far-right political party and in the scene where she’s wearing the dress, she’s introducing concentration camps to Britain.
Davies commented on the dress on Instagram by saying, “This is getting weird.”
One of Truss’ favorite brands is Karen Millen. Last July she wore a deep blue bodycon dress to the BBC Leadership debate and has previously worn similar outfits in shades such as deep purple or dark green.
The dress is named the Forever Dress. Middleton’s version retails for 175 pounds and is already sold out; meanwhile, the one worn by Truss is available for 180 pounds.
In Britain, the pencil dress is synonymous with workwear and the British reality television series “The Apprentice.”
However, the fashion coincidences between Middleton and Truss don’t stop there.
On Thursday, the princess went to visit the PIPS Suicide Prevention in Belfast, Northern Ireland, wearing a soft blue silk blouse from Winser London, which was founded by Kim Winser, the former chief executive officer of Pringle and Aquascutum.
In September, Truss wore a deep purple dress from Winser London for her acceptance speech after being announced the winner of the Conservative Party leadership contest.
Truss has made it no secret that she’s interested in fashion.
She’s already said to be angling for a Vogue interview. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, was quoted as saying earlier this summer that Truss asked her for advice about getting into Vogue.
“I remember it quite well, actually,” said Sturgeon, who was speaking at an event in Edinburgh. “I’d just been interviewed by Vogue…and that was the main thing she wanted to talk to me about. She wanted to know how she could get into Vogue.” Sturgeon replied with a terse: “They came and asked me.”
It’s highly unlikely that Truss will get the same Vogue treatment as the princess got in the June 2016 issue of the magazine — as the publication is quite firm in its political stance being very left wing.
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